"Always Strapped" is the first single from rapper Birdman's fourth studio album, Priceless. It was released officially on iTunes on March 17, 2009. The song features Lil Wayne and Mack Maine, and was produced by Mr. Beatz. The song peaked at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.

"Always Strapped"
Single by Birdman featuring Lil Wayne and Mack Maine
from the album Priceless
ReleasedMarch 17, 2009 (digital)
Recorded2006, 2009 (Remix)
Genre
Length3:28 (single version w/o Mack Maine)
4:34 (album version)
5:49 (remix version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Dwayne Carter
  • Bryan Williams
  • Jermaine Preyan
  • R. Cobbs II
Producer(s)Mr. Beatz
Birdman singles chronology
"Foolish (Remix)"
(2008)
"Always Strapped"
(2009)
"Written on Her"
(2009)
Lil Wayne singles chronology
"Prom Queen"
(2009)
"Always Strapped"
(2009)
"Every Girl"
(2009)

Background

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In 2006, a version of this song leaked online with Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana. It is believed this version was intended for their shelved collaborative album, "I Can't Feel My Face".[1] Then, in November 2006, another version leaked online on a bootleg mixtape by DJ Joey Fingaz, believed to be a leftover from Like Father, Like Son. Lil Wayne used the same first verse as the previous version, although re-recorded and Juelz Santana was replaced with Birdman.[2] The final version released 3 years later, in 2009, featured the same vocals from the leaked version with Birdman and Lil Wayne, but with a new instrumental. Mack Maine was later added to the song also.

Music video

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There are two videos for the song, first the original version of the song and the remix version of the song.

The first video was premiered on MTV Jams, Sucker Free Sunday, and MTV.com on June 14, 2009, and was the video for the original version of the song. Birdman and Lil Wayne raps their verses from the original version of the song. However, Mack Maine is featured in the video and raps his own new verse.[3] This version ranked at #18 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.

The second video was the remix premiered on BET's 106 & Park on June 15, 2009. The remix video featured Young Jeezy and Rick Ross, who also filmed his part on the video. DJ Khaled, Lil' Twist, Rick Ross, 2 Pistols, Yo Gotti, All Star Cashville Prince, and Kevin Rudolf make appearances in the video. Birdman, Lil' Wayne, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross rap their verses from the remix version of the song.[4]

Remixes and versions

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[10] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ YouTube, a Google company. YouTube.[dead link]
  2. ^ Lil Wayne Always Strapped Original Beat Featuring Birdman [DL]. YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11.
  3. ^ "Birdman - Always Strapped Remix with Lil Wayne and Mack Maine". Archived from the original on 2009-06-29. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
  4. ^ "Birdman – Always Strapped Remix 2 music video f. Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Jeezy". Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  5. ^ "Birdman Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  6. ^ "Birdman Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  7. ^ "Birdman Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  8. ^ "Birdman Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  9. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  10. ^ "American single certifications – Birdman – Always Strapped". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 27, 2021.